Friday, February 28, 2014

The 451st Bombardment Group
was a B-24 Liberator group that was based in Italy during 1944-45 and
took part in the strategic bombing campaign as well as providing some
support for the tactical air force in Italy.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

The siege of London (12-15 May 1471)
was a brief attack on the city that threatened to revive the
Lancastrian cause, which had appeared to be lost after the disaster of
Tewkesbury, but that failed after two attacks on the city defences were
repulsed.

The siege of Harlech Castle (1461-14 August 1468)
is famous as the longest siege in British history. For the last four
years of the siege Harlech was the only place in England or Wales in
Lancastrian hands, and acted as a base for their plots.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The two Portland class heavy cruisers
were slightly modified versions of the Northampton class with better
protection for the magazines. Originally five were to be built but only
two were completed and the rest became the first New Orleans class
cruisers, with significantly improved armour.

The Northampton class heavy cruisers
were improved versions of the earlier Pensacola Class, with reduced
armament, a hanger for their aircraft, improved sub-division of the
boiler rooms and a forecastle to give them superior sea keeping
abilities.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Focuses mainly on the ex-Soviet, American and British tanks that
fought in Korea, supported by useful captions, a good brief history of
the war explaining how the role of armour changed, with a selection of
pictures that include good coverage of the tanks involved in the war,
plus some that provide a more rounded view of the war.
[read full review]

Fascinating
account of the entire Market-Garden campaign, paying deserved
attention to the American and Polish airborne units as well as the main
land campaign, where the real problems with the campaign were to be
found as a full corps attempted to push up a single road against
stiffening German resistance.
[read full review]

Mainly focuses on the First World War battles between the British and
the Ottoman Empire for control of Syria, with an interesting section on
the post-war struggle for control of the country. Covers the campaign
in Palestine, the Arab revolt and the Ottoman side of the fighting.
[read full review]

The T16 4.5in Gun Motor Carriage
was a design for a self-propelled gun that was originally to be
carried on a new chassis based on that of the M5 Light Tank, but that
was then modified to use the M24 Light Tank chassis, before being
cancelled.

The M3 Light Tank
was the most numerous light tank produced in the United States during
the Second World War and saw combat in the Pacific, North Africa, Italy
and the European theatre as well as with the British, where it was
known as the 'General Stuart', and with the Red Army.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Angers Agreement of July 1470
saw the forging of an unlikely alliance between Richard Neville, earl
of Warwick and Margaret of Anjou and paved the way for the short-lived
'readeption government' of Henry VI.

The Act of Accord (25 October 1460)
was a political agreement that was meant to solve the political
tension that had caused war in England in the 1450s by acknowledging
Richard, duke of York, as the heir to Henry VI, but that instead helped
reinvigorate the Lancastrian cause.

The 'Loveday' of 24 March 1458
was an attempt by Henry VI to reconcile the two squabbling factions
amongst his nobility. Despite a public display of unity the effort was a
failure and in the following year fighting broke out again at the
start of the second phase of the Wars of the Roses.

The T7 Light Tank/ M7 Medium Tank
was originally designed to replace the M3 Light Tank and M5 Light
Tank, but it outgrew its original purpose and was accepted for
production as the M7 Medium Tank before being cancelled.

The Fargo Class of light cruisers were a modified version of the prolific Cleveland class,
but although a large production run was planned only two were actually
completed and neither of them arrived in time to fight in the Second
World War.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The memoirs of an infantry officer in the Desert Rats, written during
the war and left unmodified after the author's death in combat in 1945.
Gives a good idea of the chaos at the front and the very different
atmosphere behind the lines. Also stands out for the author's interest
in the views of other nationalities, and his interviews with
representatives of the many different communities of North Africa.
[read full review]

A selection of photographs from three anonymous photo albums taken by
members of Rommel's army in North Africa, mainly looking at life on the
road in North Africa, but with some unusual photos that show a
different side of life in the German army in the desert.
[read full review]

The memoirs of the leader of the Swedish Red Cross in Hungary,
recounting his efforts to save as many people as possible during the
chaotic rule of the last pro-German governments, including the vicious
'Arrow Cross' regime. His 'Letters of Protection' saved thousands of
lives during this period, and his memoirs discuss how this came about,
his other work, and describes life in Hungary under the last pro-German
governments and during the start of the Soviet occupation.
[read full review]

The Combat Car M1 and M2/ Light Tank M1 was
a light tank that was produced for the US Cavalry. Alongside the
infantry's Light Tank M2 it was the basis of most American light tanks
until 1944, although it was only produced in fairly small numbers and
never saw combat.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Edward IV (1442-1483)
was the first and only truly successful king of the Yorkist dynasty.
He seized the throne when only eighteen and was a capable battlefield
commander who gained a reputation as a lover of luxury whose reign was
blighted by the revolt of Richard Neville, earl of Warwick.

Friday, February 07, 2014

Four very varied eyewitness accounts of the First World War, including
a look at the front by the Director of French Propaganda, a memoir of
four weeks spent in the Austrian Army at the start of the war, an
American journalist's visit to Verdun and the memoirs of an Official War
Artist. These are all fascinating, and provide a very different view
of the war to the normal soldier's memoirs.
[read full review]

Looks at nine very varied examples of urban warfare from the largely
conventional fighting in Stalingrad in 1942 to the political
manoeuvring required in more modern conflicts such as the battle for
Ramadi in 2006-7. Looks at both the 'what' and the 'how' of urban
warfare in an attempt to examine how the urban battle can be won in
future.
[read full review]

A translation of a popular thirteenth century guide to chivalry,
intended to be read by squires on their way to knighthood to explain
their duties and establish a single united Order of Chivalry. A
fascinating guide to the late Medieval view of knighthood, as
represented by one of the most popular contemporary guides to chivalry.
[read full review]

Thursday, February 06, 2014

Sir William Stanley (c.1435-1495)
was a supporter of the House of York who is best known for siding
against Richard III, the last Yorkist king, at the battle of Bosworth
in 1485, effectively deciding the outcome of the battle.

Monday, February 03, 2014

Richard Neville, earl of Warwick (1428-1471)
is better known as Warwick the Kingmaker, and played a major role
placing Edward IV on the throne before turning against him and briefly
restoring Henry VI to power in 1470-71.